In this week’s post, let’s take a look at the frequent flyer program from #Delta Airlines called #DeltaSkyMiles. This global airline has a popular program which claims more than 92 million members worldwide, including nearly 7 million in Asia alone. Its membership increased significantly after the carrier’s merger with Northwest Airlines which was announced in 2008 and finalized in late December of the following year. The merger of these 2 industry giants formed what was then the largest commercial airline in the world by fleet size, with 786 aircraft. The Delta brand survived while Northwest’s was relegated to history. The Northwest WorldPerks frequent flyer program folded into Delta’s and, since Northwest had a strong presence in Asia, it greatly increased their membership base in that region.
The Delta program was created in 1981, shortly after #AmericanAir introduced their #AAdvantageMiles Program (for a complete review of the American Program, see my post titled "Take Full AAdvantage.”) It was originally known as the "Delta Air Lines Frequent Flyer Program.” Thankfully, the name was changed to SkyMiles in 1995. Members earn miles by flying Delta, Delta Shuttle, Delta Connection carriers, #skyteam Alliance partners or completing transactions with numerous general program partners. Miles may be redeemed for free flights to more than 1,000 destinations with no blackout dates on Delta Airlines flights. They may also be turned in for upgrades or a #DeltaSkyClub membership, #DeltaVacations packages, cruises, rental cars, hotel nights and a variety of merchandise. Delta miles do not expire and #united Airlines recently followed suit. Another Delta exclusive is Rollover Qualification Miles. All miles earned in a calendar year above what’s needed for a particular tier requirement are rolled over to the next qualification year to give you a head start on earning status again. That's a nice benefit!
Although miles are the currency for Delta’s Program, the carrier was first among the majors to shift their accumulation from miles flown to miles earned based on spend and status (American and United simply copied Delta’s approach). The program is divided into 2 categories: General SkyMiles Membership and Medallion Elite Membership. Their Medallion Program is then further split into four levels; the first of which is Silver and the second being Gold. As we learned with the American Program, all you need to remember is miles, segments and dollars. As a General Member, you’ll earn 5 miles for every dollar spent on Delta flights.
You can reach Silver Medallion status by flying 25,000 Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs) or 30 Medallion Qualifying Segments (MQSs) and spending at least $3,000 Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQDs) in a calendar year. The Silver Medallion member earns 7 miles per dollar spent. The member and a companion traveling on the same itinerary are also eligible for complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort and First Class beginning 24 hours prior to departure. (Your traveling companion must have a SkyMiles membership to be eligible for upgrades.) To reach Gold Medallion status, you’ll need to fly 50,000 MQMs or 60 MQSs and spend $6,000 MQDs in a calendar year. Gold Medallion members are awarded 8 miles per dollar spent. They and a companion are also eligible for unlimited complimentary upgrades to Delta Comfort and First Class beginning 72 hours before flight time. Complimentary Delta One upgrades within the US are available on day of departure for both Silver and Gold Medallion members.
The next tier level to be reached is Platinum and this requires accruing 75,000 MQMs or 100 MQSs and forking out at least $9,000 in MQDs. Platinum members earn 9 miles for every dollar spent. The highest tier is Diamond Medallion status and these flyers must earn 125,000 MQMs or 140 MQSs and spend at least $15,000 MQDs. Diamond members earn 11 miles per dollar spent. Gold, Platinum and Diamond members traveling in any cabin on a same day international itinerary are also permitted entry to the Delta Sky Club or any Sky Team partner lounges along with a traveling companion. But only Platinum and Diamond members receive complimentary upgrades starting 120 hours prior to departure time. Ticket reissue fees are waived for both as well as the fee charged to re-deposit awards when cancelling a ticket paid for with miles.
A unique Delta exclusive is Rollover Qualification Miles. All miles earned in a calendar year above what’s needed for a particular tier requirement are rolled over to the next qualification year to give you a head start on earning status again. That’s a nice benefit! Another singular aspect of the Delta Program is called Choice Benefits. This is offered to both Platinum and Diamond Medallion members and is a worthy perk of elevated status. Platinum members are offered one benefit. They can choose from either 4 regional upgrade certificates, 20,000 bonus miles, a $200 Delta Travel Voucher, a $200 Tiffany Gift Card or gifting Silver Medallion status. Diamond members may select 3 benefits, including either 4 Global or 8 Regional Upgrade Certificates, a Delta Sky Club Individual Membership which charges each guest $29 per visit, a Delta Sky Club Executive Membership which counts as 2 benefits but enables the holder to bring 2 guests per visit free of charge, the Delta Travel Voucher or Tiffany Gift Card mentioned above or gifting Gold Medallion status.
The airline has chosen an exclusive partner in #AmericanExpress for co-branded credit cards. There are 4 available and all earn miles on Delta ticket purchases. The Blue SkyMiles credit card is free of charge and offers up to15,000 bonus miles with a $1,000 spend in the first 3 months. Blue will also get you 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases and 2 miles at restaurants worldwide. The Delta Amex Gold Card is free for the first year and then $99 annually. It will reward you with 70,000 bonus miles after making $2,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months (60,000 miles following the spend and another 10,000 miles after your first anniversary of card membership) as well as 2 miles per dollar at restaurants and US supermarkets and 2 miles on Delta purchases. The Gold card also offers the first checked bag free on Delta flights and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding privileges. Finally, Gold offers a $100 Delta flight credit towards future travel after a $10,000 spend in a calendar year. (In my view, that’s a pretty cheap reward for charging that much money on one credit card.)
Their Platinum credit card carries a $250 annual fee but will earn you up to 100,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of card membership (80,000 after the spend and another 20,000 miles after your first anniversary). The Platinum card also comes with a host of other benefits, including a credit for the #GlobalEntry or #TSAPRECHECK_ fee, 3 miles per dollar on purchases directly with hotels and 2 miles at restaurants and US supermarkets. Platinum also earns you a free domestic companion certificate in Main Cabin each year upon renewal.The top tier is the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express which also earns 100,000 bonus miles and 20,000 MQMs after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months. The annual fee is $550 and rewards 3 miles per dollar spent on Delta purchases. This card also offers complimentary access to any Delta Sky Club in the world when flying on the airline as well as access to complimentary upgrades, a Global Entry or TSA Pre Check fee credit and the companion certificate upon renewal. The enhanced bonus offers mentioned above are all for a limited time only and are among the highest I’ve seen in some time. You can apply for any of these cards directly from the Delta Web site.
The airline no longer publishes an award chart and has moved to dynamic pricing of awards. The number of miles required will vary considerably from one day to the next as well as from route to route. There really is no limit to what a free flight might cost, particularly an international flight in a premium cabin. That explains why this method of redemption is sometimes referred to as “variable award pricing.” Delta will exact miles depending upon the cash price of the ticket, seat availability and the level of competition from other carriers. They were the first airline to adopt this redemption model in 2015 and others have jumped on the bandwagon as it gives them more control and greater flexibility in pricing their award seats. It’s not unusual to see a Delta One business class flight to Europe pricing at 300,000 miles. Sometimes, however, you can save some miles when booking a SkyTeam partner airline such as #VirginAtlantic or #airfrance where a one way coach ticket may be booked for 25,000 SkyMiles and business class for 75,000. While the absence of an award chart can be frustrating in terms of planning, Delta often conducts “flash sales” whereby they offer deeply discounted award seats. Just be sure you‘re signed up for their emails and you won’t miss out on these great opportunities when they’re made available.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Don’t be like me! Go ahead and use your miles to lessen the effect of their eventual devaluation. Check out the many ways available to put your SkyMiles to good use on the Delta Web site. I’ve no doubt you’ll find something that’ll pique your interest. Let me know what you decide.
Until next time…safe travels.
It's all toooooo confusing!... but thanks, at least, for spelling it all out. Well done ;-)